1) Why the Bridge Was Needed
As New Orleans expanded in the 1940s–1950s, travel between the city and areas to the north became increasingly difficult. The biggest obstacle was Lake Pontchartrain, a massive body of water separating key routes.
- Lake Pontchartrain area: about 1,630 km²
- Driving around the lake to the east or west took too long
- Officials decided on a bold solution: a direct route cutting straight across the lake’s center
2) Building a Straight Line Across the Lake (1955–1956)
To deliver the project, Louisiana Bridge Company was created in 1955 to build a bridge linking the north shore to the south shore.
- Construction time for the first two lanes: 14 months
- Length of the first bridge section: 38.4 km
- Opened to traffic in 1956
3) A Bridge So Long It Became a Legend
The bridge’s extreme length created unusual and unforgettable moments.
- After about 12.8 km, motorcyclists might not be able to see land
- Some drivers experienced severe fear of open water, to the point that police escorted them off the bridge
- There were reports of babies born on the bridge because mothers could not reach a hospital in time
- One of the rarest events: a small plane that ran out of fuel reportedly landed safely on the bridge
4) Location: Linking Metairie and Mandeville
The Causeway sits in southern Louisiana:
- Southern end: Metairie (a suburb of New Orleans)
- Northern end: Mandeville on the lake’s north shore
5) A Second Parallel Bridge and the Guinness Moment (1969)
About a decade after the first bridge opened, traffic demand surged.
- Daily traffic exceeded 5,300 vehicles per day
- Officials built a second bridge parallel to the first
- Opened in 1969, about 25 meters from the original bridge
- The second bridge was only about 25 meters longer, but it was enough to draw Guinness attention
In 1969, Guinness officially recognized the Pontchartrain bridge as the longest bridge over water in the world.
6) Record Controversy: China’s New Mega-Bridges and Guinness’ Two Categories
The Causeway held the “longest over water” title until 2011.
- 2011: Guinness awarded the title to Jiaozhou Bay Bridge (China) at 46.5 km
- 2018: another China project took headlines: Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge at 55 km
However, critics argued these structures were not entirely over water, because they include undersea tunnel sections. The debate pushed Guinness to clarify the definitions and split the record into two distinct categories:
- Lake Pontchartrain Causeway: Longest bridge over water (continuous length)
- Jiaozhou Bay Bridge: Longest bridge over water (total length)
As a result, the Causeway still holds the crown for the longest continuous bridge over water, maintaining this position for more than 60 years since the first roadway opened.
7) Tolls, Operations, and a Lift Section
Tolls are collected on the north shore for vehicles traveling from the south.
- Standard toll for cars: $5 (cash)
- Electronic toll system: $3
- At the 16-mile marker (over 25.7 km), there is a lift section allowing boats and other water traffic to pass
8) How Long Does It Take to Cross?
Crossing the full bridge typically takes around 50 minutes, depending on traffic and conditions.
9) Lake Pontchartrain Today: More Than a Crossing
Although often called a lake, Lake Pontchartrain functions as an estuary, connected to the Gulf of Mexico through multiple waterways. Beyond transportation, it is also a recreation zone with many visitor options:
- Outdoor activities:
- Boating and kayaking
- Fishing
- Cycling
- Monthly sailing races:
- Held on the fourth night each week from March to November
- Spectators can reserve spots along the waterfront to watch
10) Nearby Attractions and Local Culture
The area around the lake offers historical sites and well-known dining options.
- New Canal Lighthouse Museum:
- Learn about Pontchartrain history and the coastal ecosystem
- Lighthouse originally built in 1850
- Restored after Hurricane Katrina
- Many popular lakeside restaurants, giving visitors a wide range of choices for food and scenery
